The devil works hard, but the NFL works harder. The Falcons and Steelers season opener would’ve already had hype because it’s the first game with two new quarterbacks and a new head coach on one side. However, there’s an added layer of drama with Arthur Smith returning to Atlanta.
After three seasons as head coach of the Falcons, accumulating a 21-30 record and no playoff appearances, Smith was fired. His tenure wasn’t filled with many happy days for Falcons fans, most were glad to just wipe their hands of the situation. They’re certainly eager to beat the Steelers and their former head coach, but it might not be mutual.
When asked about his return to Atlanta, Arthur Smith said, “I’m not really an emotional, petty person…With us playing Atlanta this week or going to Denver next week for Russ, if you’re caught up in that, you’re caught up in the wrong things.”
This is exactly what I’d guess Arthur Smith would say, and to a certain extent, I believe him. But let’s remember, he’s a human, which means he has normal tendencies and emotions.
There’s no way in hell Smith doesn’t want to beat his former team very badly. That’s just not possible after being fired less than a calendar year ago. While I don’t think it would impact his decision-making or anything significant, it’s not true that he’s a robot and feels nothing.
In that same breath, his players know how much this game means to Arthur Smith. Steelers players were already going to be motivated because it’s a Mike Tomlin coached football team in the season opener. But a little extra motivation never hurts, and they’d love to get their new offensive coordinator a win against his former team.
That’s a two-way street, though. Falcons players don’t want to lose the first game of the season in Raheem Morris’ debut against their former coach. It should be an awesome Week 1 affair.
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Photographer: David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire
The Falcons released their first depth chart earlier in the week, and there weren’t many surprises.
The biggest surprise was Avery Williams, not Ray-Ray McCloud, listed as the starting kick and punt returner. That wasn’t really the case for much of the offseason.
Arnold Ebiketie not starting is disappointing but not necessarily surprising. I expect the Falcons to have a healthy rotation along the defensive front, so it shouldn’t bother anyone too much.
However, a position battle that isn’t quite over in the eyes of The Athletic’s Josh Kendall is the cornerback opposite of A.J. Terrell. Mike Hughes has been the starter for the entire offseason, but Kendall isn’t as convinced it’s over.
“Clark Phillips III has made more splash plays this preseason than any other Falcons defender, including Mike Hughes, but Hughes kept rolling out with the No. 1 defense at cornerback opposite A.J. Terrell throughout the preseason practices open to the media. That suggests Hughes has been more assignment-sound day to day and that he needs to be looking over his shoulder.”
This isn’t some hot take by Kendall. In the five seasons that Terrell has been the Falcons starter, he’s lined up opposite five different starters, and in several seasons, multiple starters. That will probably be the case again in 2024.
Mike Hughes has struggled to find a home for a reason. Whether it’s injuries or inconsistencies, Clark Phillips will likely get an opportunity to see the field as a starter for the Falcons this season.
